So I have quite a bit of updating to do...really not much is new we have just been enjoying autumn.
So September began with a cold snap, so we had a fire and apple cider...Joseph LOVED the fire!
Joseph and Olivia couldn't get enough of the first fire of the season!
The kids enjoyed movie night at our house. We watched Happily Never After and Eileen had popcorn (Olivia got a few pieces) and Joseph had crackers. They got a kick out of the bed being opened up and using the sleeping bags. It was a lot of fun and I think will become a family tradition.
At the end of September we went to the apple orchard with our MOMS group. Olivia did a great job picking apples, in fact she picked nearly 80 apples herself! Joseph had to stay in the backpack carrier since it had rained so the ground was muddy and all of the rotten apples fall to the ground, I could just see me fighting with him the whole time to not eat the rotten apples! We had a blast, and I am already looking forward to going back next year!
Olivia showing off her apple picking skills
Olivia and her friend had sooo much fun helping each other fill bags
Joseph did get to pick one apple, poor guy!
In October the weather changed and we had a heat wave come through! Mike and Gwendolyn came to visit while Jen and Sandy had a ladies weekend in Chicago. It was great to have them here, it was their first visit to our house in the falls. We had a great time, we went for a walk down to the falls and fed the ducks. We got the girls their "flower girl" shoes for the wedding and then we hit the beach! We went to the Schlitz Audubon Nature Center took a hike and spent a few hours at the lake front, the kids had so much fun throwing rocks in the lake.
Eileen LOVED hanging out with Gwendolyn!
Mike and the girls spotting a bird (ok, not really)
The kids at the beach. They just ran around without their shoes on and had a blast! We also packed a picnic lunch for the kids to munch on.
Joseph spent 90% of the day throwing rocks, Mike was a good sport about getting hit with a few rocks during the whole process.
Mike found a large "hut" made out of drift wood. The kids thought it was the coolest thing, they loved going inside!
Mike showing the kids his discovery
The kids and me inside the little hut
Mike took a picture of all of us inside, I just love the look on Gwendolyn's face in this picture!
When we got back home we had some quiet time and then we did a craft. Eileen had to make a pumpkin for school so we made some copies and Olivia and Gwendolyn each made one too!
There was glitter everywhere by the time we were done, but worth it!
Our last evening of the visit Mike and Gwendolyn got a special treat for us, chocolates and cookies! It was really a wonderful visit, thanks for making the trip to come see us guys!
We had our MOMS Halloween party mid-month. Olivia went as a clown (anyone remember this costume, Mom made it for Brian when he was little!!) and Joseph went as a Xavier Basketball player.
Olivia decorating her cookie
Joseph is at that beautiful age where he is capable of making a mess out of anything!
Last weekend (yes we are almost caught up!!) was Sigan's (and Jonathan-but he was still in Alaska so we will call it Sigan's) bridal shower. The girls had so much fun showing off their flower girl manners to all of the ladies, since there were "No Boys", apparently this was very important to Olivia. Olivia got to assist Sigan in the gift opening. Olivia must have sensed that Sigan was out of practice opening gifts in front of large groups of people and was ready to step in to offer some pointers.
It was a lovely shower and the food made by Sigan's friend Shanna and her mother was AMAZING!!
On Wednesday Eileen had her class Halloween party. I was able to go and help out, we made a craft and the kids each had a cookie and then it was on to the school wide parade! Bryan brought Olivia and Joseph over to watch.
Our little witch, this picture was too cute!
Bryan leaving with the two little ones in tow while I stayed behind with Eileen.
Last night (yes this is it, we have reached the end of the update!!) the Village Center (downtown Menomonee Falls) had a safe Halloween spooktacular! We walked to the downtown and the kids got to go trick-or-treating at the shops and restaurants. After TOT there was a story read at one of the restaurants (John Harbor's Main Street) and then a flashlight walk through Kiln park, we didn't make it that late but it is nice to know for the future! It was a lot of fun and this kids LOVED it, by the end of the night Joseph was even saying "Trick-or-Treat"!
Walking to downtown, Olivia and Joseph rode in the wagon
Eileen ready to go
Olivia, the dinosaur, and Joseph, the eggplant, enjoying the ride
Bryan coming out of the salon with the kids and lots of treats! I'm not sure who had more fun-Bryan or the kids...but I do know who has eaten more candy!
Well I hope I have learned my lesson and don't wait 2 months before the next update.
Happy Halloween everyone! We are off to a great start today, cereal with orange milk and black sprinkles, orange juice, and oranges! The kids are all dressed in their Halloween shirts and ready to go, they (the girls) are so looking forward to trick-or-treating tonight! (Now we just have to hope Bryan makes it home in time to take them or I will have to shut our house down and hit the houses on our circle with them!).
Yesterday Olivia had her Harvest Party at school. She wanted to be the eggplant so thus far she has been to 3 Halloween events this year and has worn 3 different costumes!!
